1Yr Old Just Switched to Whole Milk & MAJOR Gas

Did you switch completely over to whole milk? What I did was kept buying formula for the first month or so. The first week they got 3/4 formula 1/4 milk. Week two 1/2 and 1/2, week 3 1/4 formula 3/4 milk, and so on. You may want to try that, and have some gas drops on hand just in case. Formula is made to be as sensitive as possible on digestion and milk is milk. Also, you may want to try some acidoplilis (sp) milk for the first few weeks with the formula, them it with whole milk and so on. Worked for us....good luck!!

Hi A.-
it might be a lactose intolerance issue, but if he was fine on other milk, then that probbaly is not the issue. it may be the higher fat content that is causing the issue. so try 1 or 2% milk and see if the same gassy issues come up. if they do, then it is milk intolerance (or digestive issues). but if the gassiness goes away, then it is the higher fat content of the milk that is the issue. and i woudl gradually add the whole milk into the diet.
you could also try milk every 3-4 days to help avoid intolerance issues (helping him develop antibodies against the food he is allergic to).
does he have similar issues with other fatty foods?

joanna
personal nutrition coach
www.nutrition-in-motion.net

VERY few babies are lactose intolerant... more likely they would be sensitive to the milk protein, which is very common. A lot of kids are sensitive to it, and even though they are on cows milk formula, it isnt noticable until the switch to whole milk (even if they were on cheese and yogurt before then, the proteins in those are partially broken down). Talk to your ped about it and see what they say - they may want you to keep him on formula a bit longer, or they may want you to just continue and see what happens.

Mylicon wont help the gas once it gets to the intestines (where it is probably being created in your case from some sort of reaction to the milk). The way Mylicon works is to join all the tiny air bubbles together, therefore eliminating them (that is why when you put it into a bottle of formula or bmilk, the bubbles immediately disappear).

Check out www.milksucks.com for some interesting info. This page has a compiliation of articles from USA Today, CNN, etc about milk and it's negative effects. Or for more specific info on kids and babies go to http://www.milksucks.com/sickkids.asp. It gives more specific info on kids.

Here is a quote from the page they have on milk and flatulence, "In fact, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported in 1996 that 75 percent of the world’s population is lactose intolerant. Untold numbers of people who haven’t been diagnosed as "lactose intolerant" routinely choose antacids for "dessert" after indulging in cheese pizzas or double-tall lattes."

I didn't realize I was lactose intolerant until I was about 25-30 yrs old. I suffered for a really long time as one of those people that popped antacids not knowing what was wrong with me. Now that I know life is much easier. I just like to let other people know that this information is out there and it's up to you what you choose to do with it. I hope it helps.

hi A.. sorry about your little guys tummy ache. i know other people already said this... but when i switched over i did the same thing breast feeding, then breast feeding and formula, then just formula. then when a year came, i started mixing the formula with organic whole milk. first for a 6 oz bottle i did 5 oz formula and 1 oz milk with each feeding. then a day or 2 later i did 4 oz formula and 2 oz milk... and so on until it was almost all milk by about 2 weeks time. it never bothered my daughters tummy that way. i hope that helps and just keep an eye out just to make sure it isnt a milk allergy. i hope everything gets better! good luck!

he is still young. whole milk is a lot heavier on the stomach. may be see if you can water it down? his digestive track is still developing. try soy milk or see if the doctor thinks this is okay, if you are not sure. i definantly think the gas is related to the milk. try giving him yogurt. the stonyfields yo baby is organic and is a good one.

I actually mixed the whole milk & formula. I started with 1/4 milk...and gradually through the week increased the milk portion. I think it takes a little time for their stomachs to adjust.

When my daughter turned one 2 months ago and we started whole milk, she immediately started have stomach pains. We found that the milk caused her to be constipated and therefore we had to cut down. We switched to 16 oz of milk a day and the rest juice and water. This helped dramatically! Hope your baby feels better! Good luck!

I was always told to mix the milk with their formula to make the transition a little easier on their digestive system.
Even for just a week, mix 1/4 milk with formula (or whatever he's used to drinking) for a couple days then go to 1/2 and 1/2 for a couple days, then go 3/4 milk with formula. Hopefully that will easy his stomach.
Definitely give him the Mylicon, that will help with his stomach cramping.
Good luck to you and your family :)

Hello,

First a question did you just totally switch him to whole milk or did you do a formula/milk combo? IF you switched to whole milk completely right after formula, it is harder for there bellys to digest and bodies to change that quick. I was told to start mixing milk in the formula an ounce a day for a whole week until I was using whole milk completely. it helps them adjust alot easier without so much gas. hope your little guy feels better

Hi! My name is T.. I have a 1yr old who is also lactose intolerant. I tried him whole milk after his 1yr check up too,
didn't work. He had major gas so bad he cried all night long. I tried 2% milk didn't work. Tried lactose free milk didn't work. Tried soy milk didn't work. So I finally tried the similac soy based milk for toddlers called Go&Gro which his pediatrician approved for him to take. it's for toddlers 9mnths to 24mnths. Try it and see if it works for your son. At this time we are pleased FINALLY we can get some sleep. Talk to you soon
A Very Happy Mom :)

My son loves milk, however too much whole milk gives him a rash. I give him 2% milk &he does great. He has been drinking it for about 2yrs know.

Hi A.. Try giving him some yogurt like yoplait custard style. You also might want to add a little water to his milk for a while. Try giving him yogurt once a day for a couple of days before using the mylecon. Good luck.

Hi A.,
Maybe he is lactose intolerant. You could ask your pediatrician/nurse about it.
I think I remember when my son switched to milk at O. year, I sort of gradually introduced it along with formula. Not mixing the two, but alternate the formula & milk bottles until his tummy gets used to the milk. I think at first, I gave him O. bottle of milk per day for a few days, then added another, replacing the formula with all milk over a few weeks. Might be worth a try.
Good luck!

It sounds like to me that he is allergic to dairy. My youngest son went through the same thing. I had to have him on soy formula, but when I started feeding him any type of dairy he would go through the sleepless, screaming nights again. So i finally stopped giving him any dairy altogether and hes 4 now and no problems. I do give him a chewable Probiotic ( L-Rueteri) everyday which has helped wonderfully! So I would try not giving him any dairy for a week and see if you notice a change. Try giving him Soy milk. And don't worry...there is just as much Calcium in Soy as there is cow's milk. I bet, you and your baby will be sleeping better!!
Since my family and I have had to deal with my son's allergy, we have totally changed our lives and diet. I feel that it has been more of a blessing to us, I have learned so much about health and wellness over the last 3 years. And am currently studing to be a Holistic Health Practitioner. All thanks to my babies allergy!! He is now to the point where he can have some dairy on occation without any problems, but we still stay away from it for the most part. And hes healthier now because of it. Good luck...and God bless!

A.,
You may want to try your son on 1% or 2% milk for about 2 weeks and then go on to whole milk. This is what I did with my son (because someone had passed this tip on to me) and it worked out well. Also, don't be afraid to use the Mylecon! If you wait too long to use the Mylecon, your son may start to associate milk with stomach pain and not want to drink his milk.
Good Luck!